Manual Handling Procedures & Techniques Training
Manual Handling Training
Empower your employees with the knowledge they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. Be proactive to minimise risks from the start with our Manual Handling Training.
What Is Manual Handling in the Workplace?
Manual handling refers to any work that involves pushing, pulling, lifting, moving, or carrying. For example, loading boxes on a truck or moving furniture are both manual handling activities. These may sound simple, but when done incorrectly, they put a worker at risk for injury.
Every year in New South Wales, approximately 17,000 people are seriously injured or suffer from illness related to manual handling. Whether it is a sprained back, arthritis, or a serious musculoskeletal disorder, each injury affects your team and your business.
Unfortunately, many of these manual handling activities just can’t be avoided. Jobs require lifting and pushing and carrying. They can, however, be done safely. Reducing manual handling risks is key in allowing your employees to perform their best work.
What Are the Hazards & Risks of Manual Handling?
Manual handling activities may be part of many employees’ every day duties, but they are not without risk. The severity and type of risk varies based on a number of factors such as the type of movement, the intensity, and the frequency.
The most prominent risk of manual handling are musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). These are injuries to the musculoskeletal system and its connective tissue. They include things like strains, sprains, hernia, soft tissue damage, and chronic pain.
For example, straining your back from lifting a box that is too heavy is an MSD, as is pain from working in awkward positions or carpal tunnel syndrome from heavy computer work.
If an employee suffers from any of these afflictions, not only is their life negatively affected, but it can have severe impacts on your business. Premiums and claims costs are likely to rise, productivity can be lost, and morale can suffer.
What Percentage of Workplace Injuries Are Caused By Manual Handling?
In Victoria alone, 28% of injuries to workers are caused by manual handling. Across Australia as a whole, that number jumps to over 40%. Those injuries cost over $28 billion each year.
Don’t let your business and your team become part of these statistics. With the proper training and mitigation measures, you can prevent manual handling injuries before they have a chance to happen.
Why Is Safe Manual Handling Training So Important?
Safe manual handling training is one of the most impactful things you can do to keep your employees and organisation safe. Providing training allows employees to actively participate in their own health and safety. They feel empowered to carry out their job duties and keep each other accountable for doing so safely.
Not only does training protect your employees, it also comes with a big financial benefit to your organisation. As employees work safer, claims costs decrease, insurance premiums drop, and productivity soars. Many companies find that this also boosts morale and improves the general work environment.
Schedule some time with us to see how manual handling training can benefit your business.
What Are Some Techniques and Procedures to Manual Handling?
- Manual handling can be a complex subject with many factors influencing proper techniques and practices. Each person will need to adjust their handling to fit their abilities and unique scenarios. There are, however, some basic principles that everyone can follow to stay safe.
- Evaluate your movements before performing themIf you’re carrying something, is your path clear?
- If you’re lifting something, is it light enough to lift by yourself or do you need help?
- Wear proper clothing or protective gear that doesn’t impede your range of motion or vision
- Keep a strong base of support through your feet
- Try to avoid uncomfortable positions such as hunching over or rounding your back and shoulders
For more manual handling guidance customised to your workplace, schedule a training with EDHS today.
What Does Our Training Course Include?
EDHS manual handling training emphasises the importance of sound manual handling techniques and models the appropriate behaviour. Our comprehensive approach drives real behavioural changes through a combination of theory and practice.
Manual Handling Classroom Based Training – The Theory
In the classroom, an experienced occupational therapist will provide an overview of manual handling impacts and a brief review of anatomy and physiology. Over the course of two hours, employees will learn basic techniques to lift and move items safely. The course is tailored to the unique risks of your business while providing helpful information employees can apply to all areas of their lives.
Manual Handling Practical Based Training – The Practice
After completing the classroom based training, employees can move to the practical based training. In groups of two to three, employees will actively practice and demonstrate proper manual handling techniques. This solidifies the principles taught in the classroom and promotes a safety first culture.
Ongoing Random Functional Training – The Behavioural Change
The classroom and practical training lay a great foundation, but one session is not enough to create lasting behavioural change. An EDHS team member will return to your workplace at regular intervals to keep safety top of mind.
Through consistent reinforcement, safe manual handling becomes a core tenant that all employees follow. This cultural change minimises risks and keeps your staff safe.
Contact Us Today!
Your employees work hard, and you work hard to protect them. You don’t have to do it alone, though. With proper manual handling training, your team can feel confident performing their duties safely and effectively and you can feel confident that they’re protected.
Stop manual handling risks before they have a chance to happen with EDHS manual handling training. Schedule a session with us today and see how we can help keep your team safe in other ways while we’re at it.
If you want more information on manual handling training please don’t hesitate to reach out to us on (03) 5000 1882.